Sound-reproducer.



A. N. PIERMAN. SOUND REPRODUCER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1909 1,024,696. Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

3 SHEETS SHEET 1.

A. N. PIERMAN. SOUND REPRODUGER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1909-.

1,024,696. Patented Apf. 30, 1912.

. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. N. PIERMAN.

SOUND REPRODUGER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1909.

1,024,696. Patented Apr. 30, 19121 3 SHBBTSSHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PAT I FFIUE.

ALEXANDER N. PIERMAN, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 THOMAS A. EDISON, INCORPORATED, OF WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SOUND-REPRODUCER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apia 30, 1912 Application filed September 13, 1909. Serial No. 517,510.

MAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, in thecounty of Essex and State of New Jersey, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Sound-Reproducers, of which the following is a description. I

My invention relates to phonograph reproducers of the pneumatic type, or, generally speaking, of the type in which undulations corresponding to sound waves are impressed u on a current of any suitable moving flui by. the operation of a suitable valve through which the fluid is allowed or caused to pass, the valve being operated in accordance with the sound waves as by connection with a reproducing stylus tracking a record groove.

The improvements covered by my present application reside chiefly in the construction of the valve through which the air or other'moving fluid is caused to pass in set .ing up the undulations corresponding to the soundwaves.

The chief object of my invention is the production of a sound reproducer having a vibratory member which serves to set up vibrations corresponding-to sound waves in the well known manner when the device is Other objects of my invention include the.

production of a diaphragm soformed as to be capable of vibration in accordance with sound vibrations under atmospheric p'res-- sure and capable ofopening more or less in accordance withsound vibrations to form a port for the passage of fluid therethroug'h under forced fluid pressure, and the construction and combinations of parts suitable for the production of the objects above enumerated.

These various objects may be attained by a number of constructions which are hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

Reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a sound reproducer embodying my form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the diaphragm or vibratory member employed. in the same; Fig. 3 is a side'elevation, partly in section, of a reproducer embodying a second form of my device, Fig. 4; representing a top plan view of the vibratory member employed in the same; and Figs. 5 and 6 represent respectively a side elevation, partly in section, of a reproducer embodying a third form of my device, and a bottom plan View of the vibra- 'tory member employed in the same.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the sound reproducer 1 is provided with a depending flange 2-, within which is screw threaded the cylinder 3, the diaphragm or vibratory member 4 being clamped between gaskets 5 and 6, gasket 5 contacting shoulder 7 formed in flange 2 of reproducer body 1, cylinder 3 .means of closure 11 through which passes link 12 which is secured to the rear end of stylus lever 13 which carries stylus 1 1-, and is pivotally mounted at 15 tolugs 16 secured to or integral with floating weight 17, which is pivoted at 18 to pivot block 19 which is secured to the lower end of cylinder 3 by any suitable means, .as the vertical screw 20. The diaphragm 4: is preferably formed of a flat plate of glass and is slit transversely and diametrically as shown at 21. This slit formed in the diaphragm after the latter has been secured in place within the reproducer by means of a diamond or other suitable cutting agent, the slit or crack being closed when the diaphragm is at rest. As shown in Fig. 9,, the slit or crack 21 extends across the entire diaphragm. The link 12 is connected to the diaphragm on either side of the crack or slit, as indicated at 22.

In the operation of the device, the dia phragm 4 may be vibrated as a simple diaphragm by connection through linlc 12 with stylus 1% whenever it desired to reproduce in the ordinary manner, that is, Without the passage of a moving fluid through the reproducer. lin this case, the crack 21 remains quite tight and does not interfere perceptibly with the vibration of the diaphragm or with the reproduction of sound caused by the vibration of the same. il henevcr it is desired to operate the device a pneumatic sound box, however, the pressure of air or other lluid on the lower side of the diaphragm tends to flex the diaphragm upward, opening slightly crack. 21 and afford ing a passageway therethrough for the moving fluid, This opening is varied more or less in accordance with the sound Waves to be repii'oducctjl by the connection between the diaphragm and the stylus above described. Thus, undulations are impressed upon the fluid moving through slit corresponding to sound vibrations to be reproduced.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4; or the drawings, the vibratory member or diaphragm is formed in the following manner: Elastic plates 4 and 4? are supported from opposite sides of the sound box between gaskets 5 and 6, the parts being secured in place between shoulder 7 of sound box 1 and cylinder 3 in the same manner as described 111 connection with Figs. 1 and 2. Elastic plates at and 45- are each sec tions or segments of a diaphragm having inner unsupported edges constituting chords of the circle less than the diameter, these unsupported edges 23 and 24 being prcferably tmrallel. A third elastic plate 4 rests upon the unsupported edges 23 and Q4 of plates 1- and l overlapping said edges to cover the, opening therebetween. This plate i isv of elastic material, preferably the same of which plates i and l are formed, and is boun ded preferably by chords of the circle parallel, to ednes 23 and 24 of plates and s and slightly shorter.

than chords 23 and 2 isince the plate 4 overlaps both plates Hand 4 Plate'l is bounded at its edges 25 and 26 by arcs of the circle which form the supported pcriphery of plates at and 4 plate 4 being held at these edges by gasket The link 12 is connected to plate 4 at its central point, as indicated, link 12 being connected marinas to stylus 1 1v n the'nianner described in connection with 3 and.

lfn the operation of device when the reprodncer is operated as a simple reproduccr without the passage of fluid therethrough, elastic plates 4t, 4 and l vibrate tog-ether to form simple reproducer the vibrations oi which cause the desired. reproduction. l n this opeation the elasticity of plates i and 4 cause them to follow the plate 4: in its upward movement when stylus descends within depressions in the record, plate l forcing plates l and. i downward when plate i descends in obedience to the passage of stylus ll over elevations in the record. When, however, the device is used as apneuinatic reproducer, pressure of the moving tluid upon the lower surface oi plate i l i between plate 4 and plates 4/ and along edges 23 and 24. The amount of this openmg varies with the movements of stylus 1-ialong the record grow and the undulations iinpres ed upon the current moving through the 3a. re; formed along edges '23 and 24. i'ar accordingly. if i Referring more particularly to 51 and 6 oi the drawin S, the diaphr m or vibrating bod in this form oi my in; ntion is formed of two pl and l of elasticmaterial, which are supported in the sound bOX on opposite sides tl'iereot between the gaskets 5 and 6, These plates 4'' and a are similar to plates il and 4 in the last described form of my invention, except that one of the plates, as 4", overlaps theother, as at, at its inner or unsupported edge. That is to say, the plates and 4 comprise segments of a circle supported at the pa riphery between gaskets 5 and 6 and bounded at their inner unsupported edges preferably parallel, the plates l and 4 extending across the center of the circle. The link 12 which is connected to the stylus lever 13 which bears stylus let as in the pre vious figures, is secured to the lower side of plate r near the 28 thereot The overlapping etl e of plate 4 lies snugly upon the outer surface of plate 4:, the two plates being mounted in parallel relation, and when reproducer is operated with: out the How of a current of air or other fluid therethrough, the plates i and t Vibrate n tut,

together as a simple diaphragm, the elasticity of plate causing it to follow the plate 4 downwardly when the latter is vibrated downwardly, because of the K110119- ment or? stylus 14 over elevations in the sound record, is operated as a pneumatic reproducer, the pressure of moving 'luil forced into chamher 9 from pipe 10 upon theloii'er surface of plate 4- causes the upward ileriure oi? plate i to suthwant extent to permit the causes a slight opening' i 't hen, however, the device .27 and 28 by chords at the circle which are pasage of air across edge-28 from chamber 9 into chamber 8 through an opening between the two plates t and at, the amount of which opening varies in accordance with the sound vibrations to be reproduced.

Having now described my invention, What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. In a sound reproducer, the combination with a so'und box of a flat divided diaphragm supported within the same, and means for vibrating said diaphragm in accordance with sound vibrations under conditions of normal pressure and for causing said diaphragm to open more or less to permit the passage of fluid therethrough in accordance with sound vibrations, under conditions of abnormal pressure, substantially described.

'2. In a sound reproducer, a flat diaphragm capable of vibration in accordance with sound vibrations under atmospheric pressure, and capable of opening more or less in accordance with sound vibrations to form a port for the passage of fluid therethrough under forced fluid pressure, sub-, stantially as described.

3. In a sound reproducer, a flat diaphragm formed of a plurality of parts adapted to act as a simple diaphragm under normal.atmospheric pressure, but to act as a valve under abnormal or forced fluid pres sure, substantially as described.

4. In a sound reproducer, the combination with a sound box of a diaphragm of elastic material supported within the same and formed of a plurality of parts supported and fitting together in contact throughout their adjacent edges so as to vibrate as a diaphragm under normal pressure, but said parts being adapted to separate to form a port opening under. forced pressure, and means for vibrating said diaphragm under normal pressure or causing said parts to separate more or less under forced fluid pressure. in either case in accordance with sound vibrations, substantially as described.

5. In a sound reproducer, the combination with a sound box of a diaphragm supported within and dividing the same into two chambers, said diaphragm being of-elastic material and being slit across the same, and means for flexing said diaphragm in accordance with sound vibrations to cause said diaphragm to open at said slit to a greater or less extent, said diaphragm when at rest having no openings therein, substantially as described. I

6. In a sound reproducer,the combination with a sound box of a diaphragm supported within the same, said diaphragm beingof elastic material and slit transversely, said slit being closed when said diaphragm is in normal position, and means for flexing said diaphragm in accordance with sound vibrations to cause said slit to open to a greater or less extentto form a passageway for a fluid passing therethrough, substantially as described.

7. In a sound reproducer, thecombination with a sound box of a diaphragm supportedwithin and dividing the same into two chambers, said diaphragm being of elastich material and being slit transversely, said slit being closed when said diaphragm is in normal position, means for introducing fluid under pressure into one of said chambers, and means for flexing said diaphragm in accordance with sound vibrations to'cause said slit to open to a greater or less extent to throw said fluid passing through said slit J lnto vibrations corresponding to said soun vibrations, substantially as described.

8. In a sound r'eproducer, a sound box, a

diaphragmsupported within said box, said diaphragm being slit transversely and so held that said slit is normally closed, but is adapted to be opened slightly on fiexure-of said diaphragm, substantially as described.

9. In a sound reproducer, the combination with a sound box of a diaphragm supported within and dividing the same int'b two chambers, said diaphragm being of elastic material and being slit transversely, said slit being closed when said "diaphragm is in normal position, means for introducing fluid under pressure into one of said chambers, a pivoted stylus lever and stylus carried thereby, and a connection from said lever to said diaphragm attached to the latter adj acentsaid slit, substantially as described. i I

10. In a sound reproducer, the combination with a sound box of a diaphragm sup- 1Q5 j two chambers, said diaphra b i p ported within and dividing the same into,

elastic material and being composedv oia plurality of members so held and positioned as to prevent communication between said Ehambers when at rest, and to vibrate as a diaphragm when connected under normal pressure to a reproducing stylus, but adaptedto separate and allow the passage of fluid between said chambers in greater or less degree when thus connected under forced fluid pressure, means for introducing fluid unde r pressure into one of said chambers, a stylus lever and stylus carried thereby, and connections from said .lever to said diaphragm, substantially as described.

11. In a sound reproducer, the combination with a sound box of elastic means dividing the same into two chambers, means ing normally closed but adapted to open under forcedpressure to form a passageway therethrougli and means for reproduc- :ing sound by vibrating said elastic-means under normahpressure or by causingsald elastic means to open more or loss under forced, pressnroand thus setting up vihra tions in the fluid passing 'Lhcrethrongh, in accordance with sound vibrations, suhstan tialiy as described.

12. In a sound reproducer, the combination with a sound box of a flat dividing diaphragm supported within the same, and means for vibrating said diaphragm in accordance with sound vibrations under conditions of normal pressure, and for causing said diaphragin to open more or less to per-- omit the passage of flfiid thereihrough in accordance with sound vibrations under conditions of abnormal pressure, said diaphragm when at rest having no openings therein, snhsiantiaiiy as described.

13.111 a sound reproducer, a diaphragm ca ahie of vibration in accordance with sonno. vibrations under atmospheric rcssnre, and capable oi. opening more or ass in accordance with sound vibrations to i oaaeee fol-ma port for the passage of fluid therethrough under forced fluid pressure, said diaphragm when at rest having no openings or ports therein, substantially as described.

12%. In a sound reprodneer, in combination. with a sound box, of a diaphragm supported within and dividing the same into two chambers, said diaphragm being of elastic material and being slit entirely across the sane-e and means for flexing said diaphragm in accordance with sound vibrations to cause said diaphragm to open at said slit to a greai'er or less extent, said dia phragni when at rest having no openings therein, suhstantialiy as described.

This specification signed and Wiinessed this 10th day of September 1909.

Witnesses DYER SMITH, JOHN M. CANFIELD. 

